Citing an emergency call earlier this month, Turkey Creek Fire Chief Mickey Scott cautioned territory residents to be particularly aware of possible carbon monoxide poisoning in their homes and businesses.

Addressing the fire board Monday, Nov. 13, Scott noted the traditional precept of changing smoke and carbon monoxide detector batteries during the semiannual time change, which occurred Sunday, Nov. 5.

“Hopefully everyone remembered to change the batteries when they changed their clocks,” he said.

“Again we would like to remind everyone to have their furnaces, fireplaces, etc., inspected for proper operation and to have a carbon monoxide detector in their home if they have any gas appliances or use wood, coal, fuel oil, etc., for heat inside their residence.

“Remember, carbon monoxide is a by product of any combustion process. We have already had one instance in which we found extremely high levels of carbon monoxide being emitted from a furnace. Fortunately, this problem was found before it created any problems for the occupants of the structure.

“Please obtain a carbon monoxide detector and install it in your home. We cannot overemphasize how important this is.”

Scott said carbon monoxide, a lethal gas, is slightly heavier than air, so detectors should be placed near the floor. Smoke detectors, he said, should be placed near the ceiling.

Carbon monoxide, or CO, is odorless. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are a dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision and loss of consciousness.

Experiencing weakness when coming indoors but regaining energy when outdoors is another indicator of possible carbon monoxide poisoning, said Scott.

Scott issued a second seasonal caution at the meeting.

“As the colder weather is approaching, we would like to remind anyone who ventures out onto the ice over any body of water to check the thickness of the ice beforehand and make sure someone knows of your whereabouts and the time you should be returning,” he said.

“The recommended minimum thickness is 4 inches. Proceed with caution. It is also very important to be aware of the different aspects of the body of water. Ice thickness varies greatly when there is moving water below the ice and near seawalls and vegetation.”

Scott also reported:

• As of the end of October, the department used 58.66 percent of its 2017 budget allotments.

• The department responded to 10 fire calls and 100 EMS calls, bringing the 2017 total emergency responses to 1,157 as of Oct. 31.

• Department personnel underwent 333 hours of training in October, on topics such as SCBA drills, silo fires and grain bin safety, emergency vehicle operation and positioning, medical and trauma patient assessment and emergency pre-planning for two area golf clubs.

• Outdoor warning siren tests Oct. 13 and Nov. 3 revealed all sirens were functioning correctly.

• Scott, fire territory attorney Andrew Grossnickle and architect Jim Malcolm met to finalize bid details for improvements to the territory’s two fire stations. “There are multiple area contractors who have shown interest in this project,” said Scott.

The board will next meet at 6:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, at Syracuse Town Hall.